Today's Gospel message comes from Matthew 22:34-46, "Loving God and neighbor," where Jesus presents us with the essence of God’s law—love. In Matthew 22:34-46, the Pharisees, in an attempt to test Jesus, ask Him about the greatest commandment in the Law. Jesus’ reply not only silences His critics but illuminates the cornerstone of our faith—love.
Let us revisit the text:
Let us revisit the text:
Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, “What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?”
“The son of David,” they replied.
He said to them, “How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him ‘Lord’? For he says,
“‘The Lord said to my Lord:
“Sit at my right hand
until I put your enemies
under your feet.”’
If then David calls him ‘Lord,’ how can he be his son?” No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions.
Heavenly Father, you sent your Son to reveal your will for our lives and redeem us from sin and death. Through the power of your Holy Spirit, inspire us with confidence that you are with us amid the storms of life, bring peace to our troubled souls, and lead your church throughout the ages. Enable us to live as your redeemed saints, that our lives may witness to our faith. This we ask in Christ’s holy name. Amen.
“The Greatest Commandment:
Love God, Love People”
by Kenny Sallee, ThM
by Kenny Sallee, ThM
Dear Beloved,
Today, we venture into the heart of Christ's teaching and His understanding of Himself as the Messiah. The Pharisees, always keen to challenge Jesus, aimed to test Him with intricate theological questions, but as always, Jesus returned with profound wisdom and unparalleled insight.
I. The Heart of the Law
When asked about the greatest commandment, Jesus doesn't provide just one but offers two. He proclaims love for God and love for one's neighbor are inextricable, revealing that our vertical relationship with God is intrinsically tied to our horizontal relationship with one another.
1. Loving God Fully: This commandment is a call to complete devotion. Loving God is not just about singing praises in a temple or attending religious ceremonies. It's about surrendering one's heart, soul, and mind. It is a holistic love, encompassing every part of our being.
2. Loving Our Neighbors: Jesus says the second commandment is like the first. This means that our expression of love for God is manifested in how we treat those around us. We cannot claim to love God whom we cannot see if we do not love our neighbors whom we can see.
3. Foundation of the Law: When Jesus says, "All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments," He indicates that every other command, every prophecy, and every directive in Scripture is built on these foundational truths. It's a reminder that at the core of our faith lies a deep call to love.
II. The Messiah Question
The Pharisees believed they had the upper hand. But Jesus, using Scripture they knew well, presented a question that showcased His deep understanding of the Messiah's nature.
1. Son of David: The Pharisees were right in recognizing the Messiah as the son of David. It was a Messianic title, one rooted in God's promises in the Old Testament. But Jesus wanted to broaden their understanding.
2. David's Lord: By referencing David's own words from Psalm 110, Jesus challenges the limited understanding of the Messiah. If David calls the Messiah 'Lord,' how can the Messiah merely be his son? Jesus reveals that the Messiah is both a descendant of David and his Lord – pointing to His dual nature as both fully human and fully divine.
3. A Silence Worth a Thousand Words: The Pharisees, learned and wise as they were, had no answer. It is a reminder that human wisdom can only go so far and that there are divine truths which surpass our understanding.
Conclusion:
The essence of our faith and the fulfillment of God’s law are encapsulated in love—love for God and love for one another. As we navigate through life’s journey, let us remember the greatest commandments and strive to embody them in our thoughts, words, and actions. In doing so, we fulfill the Law, reflect the nature of Christ, and build a community rooted in the eternal love of God.
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, the Creator of all that exists, we come before You with hearts full of gratitude for Your enduring love. Your Word has spoken to us today, reminding us of the profound simplicity and depth of the commandments You've given: to love You with all our heart, soul, and mind, and to love our neighbor as ourselves.
Lord Jesus, both David's descendant and his Lord, we thank You for fulfilling the Law and the Prophets. We are humbled by Your love, a love so vast that it bridges the gap between Heaven and Earth, drawing us into a deep relationship with the Father.
Empower us, Holy Spirit, to embrace these commandments in every fiber of our being. Infuse us with the strength to love even when it's challenging, to serve even when we're weary, and to extend grace even when it's undeserved.
Help us to see each other through Your eyes, recognizing the intrinsic value in every soul. May our lives become an embodiment of these greatest commandments, transforming our homes, communities, and the world with Your love.
As we depart from this place, let the truths we've heard today not just remain as words, but be ingrained in our hearts, guiding our actions and molding our character.
In the mighty name of Jesus, the Messiah, we pray. Amen.
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Scripture is taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Sermon by Kenny Sallee, ThM.
Today's Gospel message comes from Matthew 22:34-46, "Loving God and neighbor," where Jesus presents us with the essence of God’s law—love. In Matthew 22:34-46, the Pharisees, in an attempt to test Jesus, ask Him about the greatest commandment in the Law. Jesus’ reply not only silences His critics but illuminates the cornerstone of our faith—love.
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